Dr. Saturday

Texas was willing to pay Nick Saban $100 million, according to upcoming book

FILE - In this Jan. 9, 2012 file photo, Alabama head football coach Nick Saban celebrates with his team after the BCS National Championship college football game against LSU in New Orleans. Saban's new contract _ expected to be in the $7 million range _ is set to be formally considered by the board of trustees. The trustees will also vote on deals for 10 of his assistants, including new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

How much is Alabama coach Nick Saban worth?

$6.9 million?

$10 million?

How about $100 million.

That’s what’s Texas was willing to cobble together to gain the services of the Tide’s national championship-winning coach, according to the SEC Network's Paul Finebaum.

In his upcoming book, "My Conference Can Beat Your Conference: Why the SEC Still Rules College Football," which he co-wrote with ESPN.com's Gene Wojchiechowski, Finebaum said Texas was “dead serious” about offering Saban an obscene amount of money.

"Texas was dead serious about trying to money-whip Saban," according to Finebaum and Wojchiechowski. "Depending on whom you talk to -- Bama big hitters or Texas big hitters -- the Longhorns were prepared to give Saban somewhere between a $12 and $15 million signing bonus and a salary package worth $100 million (plus performances)."

And to think, new Texas coach Charlie Strong only makes $5 million.

Saban agreed to a new contract with Alabama in January, which will pay him $6.9 million plus incentives, and took him out of the running for Texas' head gig. Saban’s is the largest salary among college coaches, but it’s deserved since he has won a record four national championships, including three in the past five years.

I wonder how Texas folks decided on that number? Maybe the conversation went a little bit like this: